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By Michelle Van Sleet<\/p>\n
Introduction.<\/strong><\/p>\n In the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev’s leadership from 1955-1964 is remembered as a period of “thaw” during the Cold War. Khrushchev’s foreign policy of pursuing peaceful coexistence with the United States and its allies was a dramatic change from previous leaders’ attitudes. In 1956, after Khrushchev had succeeded Joseph Stalin and was beginning to consolidate power, Khrushchev began a process of “de-Stalinization” to weaken his enemies in the Communist Party and strengthen his position as leader. Shortly after this, Khrushchev continued to alter Party policy with his change in approach to foreign policy. This policy of a peaceful coexistence was meant to improve relations between the Soviet Union and the United State and had major implications for the preceding events of the Cold War. Khrushchev’s policy marks a drastic change in Soviet policy and it is, therefore, necessary to understand the effects felt domestically and abroad.<\/p>\n I am analyzing the period from 1956 to 1964. During this time, Khrushchev implemented his policy of peaceful coexistence, but seemed to deviate from it during a number of flashpoints in history. My question is “to what extent did Khrushchev\u2019s foreign policy for a peaceful coexistence alter the Soviet people\u2019s perception of Soviet-American relations?” There is debate as to the extent to which Khrushchev’s foreign policies were the cause of his downfall and eventual cessation of Soviet leadership–many argue that his failed domestic policies were more significant. One of my main sources will be from Khrushchev himself; it is his article titled, “On peaceful Coexistence” that justifies his policy and explains the reasons for it. Another major source will be from R\u00f3sa Magn\u00fasd\u00f3ttir’s article “‘Be Careful in America, Premier Khrushchev!\u2019: Soviet Perceptions of Peaceful Coexistence with the United States in 1959\u201d that analyzes Soviet letters during this time frame. The letters are written by Soviet civilians addressing Khrushchev’s policy. Overall, I will attempt to determine the effect of Khrushchev’s peaceful coexistence policy on his role as the leader of the Soviet Union.<\/p>\n Introductory Information.<\/strong><\/p>\n Khrushchev, Nikita. “On peaceful coexistence<\/a>.” foreign affairs<\/i> 38, no. 1 (1959): 1-18. http:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/20029395 (accessed April 1, 2013).<\/p>\n Kennan, George. “Peaceful Coexistence: A Western View<\/a>.” Council on Foreign Relations<\/i> 38, no. 2 (1960): 171-190. http:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/20029411 (accessed April 1, 2013).<\/p>\n Primary Sources.<\/strong><\/p>\n Magn\u00fasd\u00f3ttir, R\u00f3sa. ““Be Careful in America, Premier Khrushchev!”: Soviet Perceptions of Peaceful Coexistence with the United States in 1959<\/a>.” EHESS<\/i> 47, no. 1\/2 (2006): 109-130. http:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/20174992 (accessed April 2, 2013).<\/p>\n Wedgwood Benn , David. “On Re-Examining the Khrushchev Era: A Review Article Khrushchev: The Man and His Era by William Taubma<\/a>n.” Europe-Asia Studies<\/i> 56, no. 4 (2004): 615-621. http:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/4147389 (accessed April 5, 2013).<\/p>\n Du Quenoy, Paul. “The Role of Foreign Affairs in the Fall of Nikita Khrushchev in October 1964<\/a>.” The International History Review<\/i> 25, no. 2 (2003): 334-356. http:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/40109322 (accessed April 1, 2013).<\/p>\n Print Sources. <\/strong><\/p>\n Service, Robert. A History of Modern Russia: From Tsarism to the Twenty-First Century<\/i>. Third Edition ed. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1997.<\/p>\n Kocho-Williams, Alastair. Russia’s International Relations in the Twentieth Century<\/i>. Hoboken, NJ: Taylor and Francis, 2013.<\/p>\n Media and Background Sources. \u201cKhrushchev and Peaceful Coexistence\u201d by John D. Clare<\/p>\n \ufeff Khrushchev Threatens Hammarskj\u00f6ld & UN 1960\/10\/3 <\/a><\/p>\n\n
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